Libertadores Fever: Flamengo, Estudiantes and the City That Never Sleeps

All words and images by Gregorio Gastaldi

Match day at the Maracanã is special. It’s very difficult to fill one of the biggest stadiums in the world. But Flamengo wasn’t the exception this time, and Cariocas attended in massive numbers. In fact, the attendance was 71.411 torcedores, the record at Maracanã stadium (and the whole country) since its renewal . People arrived extremely early. For security? Not really. Access to the stadium works very well and is very fast. But the street pre-show is a must. Cariocas love eating, drinking and dancing in the street — any day, any time, and for any reason. An important night like this one was more than enough to do so. Estudiantes’ away fans also came from La Plata (Argentina) and spent the whole day cheering at the beach. Why not? Futebol e praia is a religion in Rio de Janeiro.

Flamengo won and played very well for most of the game. Pedro scored the fastest goal in Libertadores history at 15 seconds. Their start was electric and ferocious. Two–nil in the first half, a difference that could have been much bigger. Instead, in the second half, they got a red card, conceded a goal, and it could almost have been a draw if Estudiantes’ striker hadn’t missed a last-minute chance. An absolutely intense night.

A Trophy Every Club Dreams Of

The Libertadores never disappoints. A quarter-final match is enough motivation for anybody to turn out in numbers. Every team in South America dreams of winning this trophy. Estudiantes have won four titles (only three clubs have more) and remain one of the continent’s most historic representatives, known for their tenacity. Their last win came in 2009, and they had spent a few years without even qualifying.

With one fewer trophy (three), Flamengo’s last triumph was in 2022. They have been a constant presence over the last decade, reaching almost every stage of the competition year after year. The club has invested heavily in recent transfer markets, which has created big expectations and responsibility. Estudiantes, meanwhile, are widely known for their strong identity and reputation as a copero club — a label for those who show resilience in crucial moments. Across South America, this competition is the absolute priority, no matter the team.

Brazil vs Argentina: Rivalry Renewed

In one of the tightest tournaments in the world, what could make a game more compelling than a quarter-final at the Maracanã? An old rivalry between two of the biggest football nations. Every time Argentinian and Brazilian teams face each other, tension is inevitable.

This time, both sides showed mutual respect during the week in press conferences and even in the protocol handshake on the pitch. But that ended quickly once the referee blew the first whistle. From there, it was a beautiful event to witness, whether from the field or in the stands: two different shows at the same time, ninety minutes of pure hostility.

It’s funny, because after all, people from both countries love each other — whenever there’s no football in between, of course.

A City That Never Sleeps

Rio de Janeiro is a city that never sleeps. For many people, it didn’t matter that Flamengo were playing late at night. Across the whole area, families were still selling street food from their own homes, alongside the famous sight of cold beers pulled from bags of ice. Nothing unusual for football fans worldwide.

For others, attending the match meant facing mandatory work early the next morning. Overcrowded public transport, trying to catch the last ride home, is part of the ritual. The crowd was divided — split into two types. The same happened with the mood after the game. Flamengo fulfilled their responsibility at home, but the scoreline could have been much bigger, and they missed many chances.

In the Libertadores, sometimes a single-goal advantage is not enough when you have to play away next time, and half of the torcida felt that. Estudiantes, instead, left with a kind of miraculous relief. It’s the mental side of the Cup — a competition that can take you from celebration to frustration in one second. Only achievable for those who can endure the suffering.